India plays big, important role in Indo-Pacific region says White House

Washington, November 1: India certainly plays a big and very important role in the Indo-Pacific region. This was said by the White House ahead of the United States President Donald Trump’s maiden Asia visit including Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and Philippines.

 

Notably, while talking to media at her daily news conference the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said "It certainly plays a big role" after she was asked by a reporter, "Does this administration see India as a pivotal part of your strategy when it comes to the Asia-Pacific more broadly?"

Meanwhile, in another press conference, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "I can tell you that we have a close relationship with India, that we have a lot of areas of common interest, including -- we're both democracies; we're both large countries. They're an enormous country."

"India can bring so much, not only to the region but to the world. In addition, many American jobs, through greater trade and cooperation with that country," she said, referring to the major India policy speech given by the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last month, soon after which he traveled to India.

However, when Nauert was asked why Trump is not going on this trip to India if the country is so important. She said, "I think that would be a different kind of trip for the President, tagging India… -- along to that trip. I think he's got a pretty hefty schedule, but I don't want to speak on behalf of the White House."

Importantly, President Donald Trump on Tuesday embarked on a 12-day trip later this week to visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and Philippines. But he will not be paying a visit to India this time. The visit of Trump to Asia indicates that the issue of North Korea will be on the top of all other agendas.